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Xeriscape Plantings 1
California Sycamore
Canyon Prince Wild Rye
Orchid Spot Rockrose
California Sycamore

Common name:California Sycamore
Botanical name:Platanus racemosa

The California Sycamore is a fast growing deciduous tree that reaches up to 40-50 ft. high. It tolerates heat, smog, and drought conditions as well as moist conditions; it is native to riparian areas. It has interesting mottled bark when the tree is bare in winter.

Canyon Prince Wild Rye

Common name:Canyon Prince Wild Rye
Botanical name:Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'

One of the best known and utilized native grass selections in Southern California. Beautiful blue grey foliage that spreads to 3-4' or more. It will reach a height of 2-3'. Flowers rarely. It does spread by rhizomes although not as vigorously as some closely related species. Can be extremely drought tolerant and care must be taken not to over water this species as it can rot from the center. Otherwise it is carefree and requires virtually no maintenance.

Orchid Spot Rockrose

Common name:Orchid Spot Rockrose
Botanical name:Cistus purpureus

This is a consistently good performer, with leaves of 1-2" inches that are dark green on top, and gray and hairy beneath. Its long, blooming 3" wide flowers are a reddish-purple color with a red spot at the base of each petal, and are quite attractive. It can be pruned regularly. This plant is a small evergreen shrub with narrow wavyedged aromatic leaves. It has large rosy crimson flowers with a maroon blotch at the base. It has yellow stamens.

Designer:

Xeriscape Plantings 1

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.